Saudi women given vote in 2015 will no longer need male approval to run for election

Women in Saudi Arabia will be free to vote or run in municipal elections from 2015, without needing any consent from their male counterparts.

King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz has been advocating for change to state law that previously prevented women from doing so.

Despite the announcement that was published in the state-run newspaper al-Watan, Saudi Arabia woman are still not allowed to travel, work, study abroad, marry, get divorced or gain admittance to a public hospital without permission from a male guardian.

Right to vote: Women in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to vote or stand in elections from 2105

King Abdullah's had been warned not to attempt to overhaul current Sharia law by ultraconservative clerics, who have in the past challenged social reforms.

In a speech at the end of September, marking the start of a new term for the Shura Council - the formal body advising the king, he revealed the future amendments to the current state law.

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The king said: 'Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior clerics and others... to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from next term.

'Women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election and will even have a right to vote.'

Historical: Saudi King Abdullah is overseeing the change to state law that will permit women to vote or run alongside their male counterparts

Despite municipal councils having very little power, women's appointment to the body is widely regarded as further proof of the gradual liberalisation of the Arab Peninsula.

5,000 men competed in the elections in September, only the second-ever in order to fill half the seats in local councils whilst the other half were assigned by the government.